"Ta-da! Everyone, let's all perform ※Star Prayer※ together!"

How strange. How did Mary manage to vocalize ※these symbols※?

Right now, I'm sitting side-by-side with Gray on a bench. In my hand is a gleaming moonstone staff. Above my head is a dazzling, radiant sphere scattering starlight. In front of me is a large mirror, like a TV screen. This is exactly like a karaoke room. Ah, nostalgia. Thank you, Star God.

Mary had changed into a deep blue robe edged with silver thread, also holding a staff set with a moonstone, standing before the mirror. "Yay~" Gray and I beside him cooperatively clapped in welcome.

Adam, standing behind Mary adjusting the mirror, just glared at me the whole time without clapping at all. Terrifying. Emily, look at him! Fortunately, Mary also turned and glared at Adam, who silently and wordlessly ran to sit on my other side.

Mary said: "Our Lord, our guiding star Aesvis, is a humble and wise great being. Time for us is a waterfall rushing ever forward, but for him, it is a shallow stream he can wander at will. He knows everything of the past, present, and future, yet never intervenes or guides."

Aesvis seems to be the Star God's name. That said, I've never heard anyone avoid using his name out of reverence. On the contrary, many who dislike him have come up with derogatory nicknames like "Memory-Devouring Serpent" or "Rotting Stellar Crown." He feels more like a boss than a god. Still, it must be said, as expected of a god. Though I don't really understand what Mary is saying, it sounds very profound.

Mary continued: "However! Today is an exception! Limited-time offer! Divine power clearance sale! No need for treasure, gold, or silver, no need for a century of asceticism. As long as you say 'The Ice Spirit will not marry before killing the Hero' 18% and share enough secret memories, Aesvis will exhaust his boundless, infinite knowledge to answer any question you have!"

Instantly turned into a livestream salesperson, and a somewhat dubious one at that.

Gray said: "In other words, this is a transaction of my memories for divine knowledge." "Precisely, it's a 'sharing.' You won't lose your memories, and the god's wisdom won't diminish in the slightest." Gray thoughtfully stroked his chin.

I get it. This ritual is like a budget version of Alfreya's ability. She is, after all, a priestess of the Star God, so it's not strange they share the same lineage. Who is Alfreya...? She's a former teammate of mine and Gray's. Since she's already passed away, don't worry about it.

Adam asked: "Can we ask any question?" "Yes, no need to hold back. Even mundane family matters are fine. But if the question itself is difficult, you must provide sufficiently secret memories to get an answer. Also, grip the staff tightly when asking your question. Shall the Hero start us off to warm things up?" "Hey, then I'll humbly accept. Let me think..."

Gray glanced at me ambiguously, then let his gaze fall on Adam. Right, this idiot is trying to set up Adam and Mary. But Gray, what exactly are you planning? Cupid isn't that easy to play.

Gray gripped the staff, smiled brilliantly, and said to Mary: "Miss Mary, do you have someone you fancy?"

You fool, I thought you had some clever plan! This is completely just simple harassment! Even if she did, she wouldn't say it in front of everyone, right? Especially since she and Adam have zero chance anyway. ...Although I thought that, Mary didn't seem displeased at all. Instead, she blushed shyly.

Miss Mary, you don't have to force yourself to go along with him just because he's the Hero, you know?

Mary said: "That question doesn't require asking the god. Yes, I have someone I like. And he is in this very room."

Seriously? Her expression doesn't seem fake. Could Gray have actually guessed right? I'm rarely impressed by Gray, but I immediately noticed he was also staring at Mary in shock. Clearly, he was just spouting nonsense and happened to hit the mark. He said: "I-Is that so... Then I'll change my question." Mary replied: "Mm, I'm looking forward to it."

It seems Mary also saw through Gray's matchmaking plan and is expecting him to make Adam realize her feelings. However, take a good look at Adam. This guy is the embodiment of pride and self-isolation. He has a deathly still, immovable frozen expression, and is looking at me with a terrifying glare, a dark character completely opposite to bright words like "love." If you directly say something frivolous like "Mary is a good kid, right? Don't you want to be with her?" you'll just get sunk by his cold violence, colder than me, an Ice Spirit.

Gray pondered for a moment, then said: "May I ask if my friend and student, Adam, has someone he fancies?"

Ohh, there's that move. Adam will undoubtedly answer "No!" But that would be equivalent to giving Mary the signal "Go for it!" allowing her to charge forward without hesitation. Good job, Gray.

Adam said: "Mr. Wilson, I will not entertain your pointless questions."

What an oblivious reply. He really hasn't noticed Mary's feelings, huh? How dense. Mary did look a bit disappointed. For some reason, she glanced at me, then smiled and said: "In that case, please share a memory, Mr. Wilson, to summon the god's guidance." "Wait, Mary, I..." Adam was visibly shocked and strongly objected, but it was too late. Gray spoke his memory first: "This afternoon, my relationship with this Spirit lady here took a big step forward."

This Spirit lady here... who? Ah, me. Breathe, breathe. Don't let your magic erupt. Stay calm. Look at this colorful sphere, this bench, this glass. Life is beautiful. I've known for a long time that Gray is a fool, a scoundrel, an idiot, and a moron. No need to get angry about it now. That would only make him smirk more smugly.

Text appeared on the mirror surface. [Adam Hammer has someone he fancies, and that person is by his side.]

...That really is a shocking fact. Does Adam actually also have feelings for Mary? Realizing this, I couldn't help but smile warmly, leaned close to Adam's ear, and whispered: "Do your best, I support you."

Before I even finished, Adam rolled off the bench, crawled several meters away, and then stood up covering his ear. This guy is getting more and more excessive. Am I an electrified socket? A bit annoyed, I looked at him. He immediately averted his face, picked up his staff, and walked towards Mary, who for some reason was smirking mischievously.

Huh, wait? What are you going to do? Speed is good in warfare, but is there a need for this much speed? Find a place with fewer people, prettier, like by a forest stream? Make it a bit romantic. If I were the girl, I wouldn't want to hear a confession in such a casual setting. Are you going to do it? Right here? Well, if the momentum is strong enough, I guess it's possible.

Adam said: "Teacher, Mr. Wilson, it's my turn to ask a question. Is that okay?" "Mm. Of course."

Adam brought the staff close to his mouth and mumbled something in a voice as faint as a mosquito's. I didn't use magic to enhance my hearing, so I didn't catch it at all. This confession is too cowardly! See, Mary even made a disappointed face... No, wait, why does she look even more amused?

Gray asked: "Is that an acceptable way to ask?" "It's fine, it's fine. Only the memory needs to be spoken aloud; the question itself does not. Adam, state your memory."

Adam turned around and looked at me. Don't look away because you're shy, look at Mary! The previously noisy Gray and Mary both suddenly fell silent. The room became quiet. Adam said: "Sylvia, during the time you were seriously injured and unconscious, I dreamed about the incident when monsters invaded our hometown as children. You appeared in the dream and slew the monster. Thank you." "...You're welcome?"

Gray and Mary sighed for some inexplicable reason. I'm the one who should find this strange. Simultaneously, text appeared on the mirror. [When you witness her next death, you will understand the reason for loving her.]

What kind of answer is this? Completely incomprehensible. How can there be a next death? Mary and Gray's expressions darkened. Adam was even more terrified, looking despairing, trembling like an ant cut in half. The previously nice ambiguous atmosphere instantly froze solid. It's not that scary, is it? Is everyone just bad with horror? Well, it's time to end this farce.

I reached out my hand, breaking the silence: "Excuse me, may I also ask a question?" Mary forced a smile: "...Of course." "Thank you. God of the Stars, please tell me, where is Nekros right now?" Time to get down to business.

Gray said: "That question's difficulty might be a bit high. Spirit lady, do you have a sufficiently secret memory to share?" "Yes. ** died at 17 from congenital heart disease." The ** is my name from my life before last. To prevent doxxing, I won't specify." How about that, Lord Star God? This is information only I know in this entire world.

Gray, Adam, and Mary all looked utterly bewildered; they definitely don't know what I'm talking about. However, text appeared on the mirror. [Within this very church.]